Davidson shocks No. 12 Kansas in 80-74 victory

Wildcats exact some revenge for tournament loss.

Davidson guard J.P. Kuhlman (5) works around Kansas guard Travis Releford (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Dec. 19, 2011.

Photo: AP

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nik Cochran scored 21 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the closing minutes, and Davidson shocked No. 12 Kansas 80-74 on Monday night to exact a little bit of revenge over an epic NCAA tournament loss three years ago.

“A month ago we had a one-point lead against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium and they knocked us out in the first 5 minutes of the second half,” Davidson coach Bob McKillop said. “We came out tonight and scored two quick baskets to put us in the center of the ring the rest of the way.”

JP Kuhlman added 15 points, and De'Mon Brooks had 13 for the Wildcats (7-3), who led the final 23-plus minutes.

The Jayhawks (7-3) had won 13 of the 15 games they had played at the Sprint Center, about a 30 minutes from Lawrence.

“That wasn't an upset tonight,” Kansas coach Bill Self said glumly.

It was the first meeting between the schools since the NCAA regional final in 2008, when Stephen Curry led the Wildcats on an inspired postseason run. Kansas managed a 59-57 victory when a last-second shot by Davidson's Jason Richards clanked off the rim, and the Jayhawks would go on to win the fifth national championship in school history, in overtime against Memphis at the Alamodome.

Thomas Robinson had 21 points and 18 rebounds for the Jayhawks. Tyshawn Taylor came back from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee to get 15 points and seven assists, while Elijah Johnson finished with 15 points.

Davidson was clinging to a 68-65 lead with 1:31 left and the shot clock winding down when Cochran took a pass from well beyond the 3-point line, squared up to the rim and let go a shot that hit nothing but net.

Taylor couldn't match it at the other end, his 3 clanking off the front of the rim, and Davidson managed to seal it from the free throw line.